Chapter 78

Chapter 78
Cindy's POV

The music hit like a wave, loud and deep, vibrating through my chest as I stepped onto the stage. The lights were bright and hot on my skin, but I had learned to love that feeling. It meant I was in control. It meant I was about to make money.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, "please welcome our star performer... Sasha!"
The crowd cheered, and I could see dollar bills already being waved in the air. Men in expensive suits leaned forward in their chairs, their eyes following my every move. This was my stage now. This was my kingdom.
I started slow, letting the music guide my body as I moved around the silver pole in the center of the stage. My glittery black dress caught the lights, sending sparkles across the room like stars. I had learned exactly how to move to make every man in the room believe I was dancing just for him.
The first song was always about the tease. I would run my hands along my body, letting the dress ride up just a little, showing glimpses of my long legs in the sheer pantyhose. I would lock eyes with different men in the crowd, giving each one a secret smile that made them think they were special.
Money started flying onto the stage. Twenty dollar bills, fifty dollar bills, some hundreds. I collected them gracefully, never breaking character, always smiling like this was the most fun I had ever had in my life.
When the first song ended, I walked to the back of the stage and slowly unzipped my dress. The crowd went wild as I let it fall to the floor, revealing a tiny black bikini underneath that barely covered anything. My body had changed so much over the past year - all the exercise and training had given me curves in all the right places and muscles that made me feel powerful.
The second song was faster, more aggressive. I spun around the pole, my short black hair flying, my red lips curved in a smile that promised everything and nothing at the same time. This was when the real money came out. Men were standing up, shouting my name, throwing hundreds of dollars onto the stage.
"Sasha! Sasha! Sasha!" they chanted, and I fed off their energy like it was oxygen.
By the time I finished my third song, the stage was covered in money. I gathered it all up, blowing kisses to the crowd as I walked off stage. My heart was pounding, not from fear like it used to, but from the rush of power. These men would do anything for me. They would spend their children's college funds just to see me smile at them.
And I knew exactly how to use that power.
Backstage, I quickly changed into a short red dress that hugged every curve of my body. I touched up my lipstick, popped a fresh piece of gum in my mouth, and walked back out into the club.
This was when the real work began.
The VIP section was where the biggest money was made. These weren't just random men with a few dollars to spend. These were Big Jim's most important clients - business owners, politicians, men with more money than they knew what to do with.
"Sasha!" A familiar voice called out, and I turned to see Kyle waving me over to his usual table.
Kyle had been coming to the club since my second week here. He was young, maybe in his late twenties, with perfectly styled brown hair and expensive suits that probably cost more than most people made in a month. He owned several businesses around the city and was one of Big Jim's biggest clients.
He was also completely obsessed with me.
"Well, well, well," I said, walking over to his table with a sway in my hips that I knew would drive him crazy. "If it isn't my favorite customer."
Kyle's eyes lit up as I approached. He was sitting with two other men, but his attention was completely focused on me. "Sasha, baby, you look absolutely incredible tonight."
"Why thank you, handsome," I said, sitting down on the chair next to him. "You're not looking too bad yourself."
Kyle was already reaching into his wallet, pulling out a thick stack of hundred dollar bills. He placed them on the table in front of me, and I could see it was at least two thousand dollars.
"This is just the beginning," he said, his voice low and husky. "I want a private dance. Just you and me."
I smiled and leaned closer to him, my hand resting on his chest. "You know I can't say no to you, Kyle."
He led me to one of the private rooms in the back of the club. These rooms were dimly lit, with comfortable couches and soft music playing. This was where the girls made the most money, and where the men felt like they could say anything they wanted.
Kyle sat down on the couch, and I started dancing for him, my body moving slowly to the music. He watched me like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and I could see the desire burning in his eyes.
"Sasha," he said after a few minutes, "when are you ever going to agree to spend the night with me? I promise to give you the world."
I had been waiting for this question. Kyle asked it every time we were alone together, and every time I had to give him the same answer.
I stopped dancing and sat down on the arm of the couch, close enough that he could smell my perfume. "Kyle, Kyle," I said, running my fingers through his hair. "You know my role is just to be a dancer. I'm not a bedroom servicer."
Kyle's hand moved to my thigh, and I let him touch me even though it made my skin crawl. I had learned to hide my real feelings very well.
"I have been loyal to you right from when you started dancing," he said, his voice desperate. "Even when you weren't as good as you are now. Your beauty, your shape, everything is just so enticing. I just want to have a taste."
I stood up and walked a few steps away from him, turning around slowly so he could see my body from all angles. "If you want to have a taste," I said, my voice teasing, "you have to earn it. This isn't a job where I just give things away for free. You need to put down serious money. How do I know you're being honest about wanting me?"
Kyle's eyes were hungry as he watched me. "How much do you want me to drop?"
I walked back over to him, sitting down on his lap this time. His hands immediately went to my waist, holding me close. "Well," I said, tracing circles on his chest with my finger, "how much do you think Sasha is worth?"
Kyle was breathing heavily now. I could feel his heart pounding under my hand. "Name your price, baby. Anything you want."
I leaned down so my lips were right next to his ear. "Blow my mind," I whispered, "and I might consider it."
Kyle smiled and pulled me closer. His hands were roaming all over my body, and I had to force myself not to pull away. This was part of the job. This was what I had to do to survive.
He kissed my cheek, then moved his lips to my neck. I could feel his hot breath on my skin, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from pushing him away. I was still a virgin, despite everything I had been through, and the thought of actually going through with what Kyle wanted terrified me.
But I couldn't let him see that fear. I had to stay in character. I had to be Sasha, the confident, seductive dancer who could handle anything.
"Not too fast, cowboy," I said, standing up from his lap with a playful smile. "You know what to do, baby boy."
I walked toward the door of the private room, making sure to sway my hips in a way that would drive him even crazier. Behind me, I could hear him groaning with frustration.
"Sasha, wait-" he called out.
But I was already gone, walking back out into the main club with a satisfied smile on my face. Kyle would be thinking about me all night, and tomorrow he would come back with even more money.
As soon as I stepped back into the main room, other men started calling my name.
"Sasha! Over here!"
"Sasha, baby, come sit with us!"
"I'll pay double what that guy paid!"
I looked around the room and saw at least six different men trying to get my attention. They were waving money in the air, making promises they probably couldn't keep.
"I'll buy you a car!" one man shouted.
"I'll sell my house for one night with you!" another one yelled.
I laughed and blew kisses to all of them, but I didn't go to any of their tables. Instead, I walked over to the bar and ordered a whiskey, neat. The bartender slid it across to me with a wink.
"Looking good tonight, Sasha," he said.
"Thanks, Tony," I replied, taking a sip of the whiskey. It burned going down, but I had gotten used to the feeling. Alcohol made this whole life easier to handle.
I was standing at the bar, watching the chaos I had created among the men in the club, when one of Big Jim's security guards approached me.
"Boss wants to see you," he said simply.
My stomach dropped. Big Jim only called girls to his office for two reasons - either they were in trouble, or he had a special job for them. Given how much money I had been making lately, I was pretty sure it wasn't the first option.
"Now?" I asked.
"Now," he confirmed.
I finished my whiskey in one gulp and followed him through the club. Men were still calling my name, still making desperate offers, but I ignored them all. My mind was racing with possibilities of what Big Jim might want.
The elevator ride to his office felt like it lasted forever. My hands were shaking slightly, so I clasped them together to keep them still. I had learned to hide my fear well, but Big Jim had always been able to see right through me.
The security guard knocked on the office door, and I heard Big Jim's voice from inside.
"Come in."
The guard opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I took a deep breath, put on my best Sasha smile, and walked into the office.
The first person I saw was Big Jim, sitting behind his massive desk with that cold smile I knew so well. The second person I saw was Fiona, standing beside him in an expensive dress, looking as beautiful and cruel as ever.
But then I saw the third person in the room, and my entire world stopped.
Sitting in the chair across from Big Jim's desk, very much alive and looking directly at me, was John.